We are a hospitable nation and we welcome visitors from the other parts of the world. The tourist industry is an integral part of our economy and servicing it's demand provides jobs for a significant portion of the workforce. Unfortunately, at the height of summer it also delivers an aspect that many people find very unpleasant.
We rely heavily on backpackers to bring in the Australian fruit and vegetable harvest. Many enjoy a seaside holiday before the crops are ready to be picked and it is traditional that new arrivals purchase a van or station wagon for both transport and accommodation once they start doing the rounds of the farms when the picking season starts.
Every season - at the height of summer - our beach and coastal suburbs are inundated with backpackers living out of these vehicles. Suburban streets and picnic areas become a virtual ghetto of young people slightly moving their vehicles on a regular basis to comply with parking laws, but generally hogging all available parking spots. This inevitably brings complaints from resident householders.
Not all of our summer guests are neat and tidy people. It is not unusual to see rubbish - including discarded fast food containers - strewn amongst the vehicles and public amenities are often used to wash cooking equipment - and to be used for personal ablutions. In some cases, ornamental structures and shrubbery serve as makeshift toilets.
Bylaws differ suburb to suburb, but generally sleeping in parked vehicles is not permitted, yet most councils are lax in enforcing their regulations. Noisy parties bring the attention of the police. This is a scene that poses a hygiene risk and yet we are reluctant to crack down heavily and enforce all the bylaws that apply, despite agitation by permanent residents who see their way of life being threatened.
Seaside suburbs are usually the venue for another regular event that brings criticism. The outgoing crop of tourists returning to their home countries usually try and sell their vehicles to the new arrivals eager to obtain cars or vans that have been outfitted as "mobile homes ". Vehicles offered for sale tend to be concentrated in a small area which quickly takes on the appearance of a car yard - to the exclusion of access by other residents.
Fortunately, both these phenomenons peak for a short period each year but in recent times change has become apparent. Not all of our backpackers are interested in fruit picking and the season seems to be extending steadily. In particular, those whose main interest is surfing tend to make a seaside suburb home on a full year basis - and that presents an entirely new problem.
The lure of Australia for many young visitors is not only the fantastic climate and beach scene, but the opportunity to have a very cheap holiday living al fresco. If we are to set aside an area for backpacker parking it will inevitably carry a cost - and more importantly - the cameradie that is an integral part of the present holiday experience will be lost. It would be unfortunate if the very attraction that makes Australia a Mecca for young people was denigrated by over regulation.
It seems that councils have a difficult task ahead of them. Balancing just the right amount of restrictions to keep the locals happy and yet not implementing some draconian regime that drives backpackers out of Australia.
It seems that our fruit crop hangs in the balance !
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